What Does it Mean to Repent?

What Does It Mean to Repent?

Repentance is the act of changing one’s mind, turning to God after falling or living in sin. Jesus heavily taught all to repent of their sins(Matthew 4:17). We must hate our sins and flee from it(1 Thessalonians 5:22). Repentance involves walking away from sin and trying one’s best to stay on this path. This is not to say we will not make mistakes: “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body,” (James 3:2 ESV). We will still make mistakes, but we must stand back up and return to the Lord. A pure act of repentance does not end but lasts, making a true change in a person. We are always going to sin, for: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us,” (1 John 1:8 ESV). Even so, we must make an effort to keep walking and follow Christ after every fault(Hebrews 10:26).